Stone Front Tavern

Review by Vegan's Nightmare: Some of you were asking for a review of Stone Front Tavern, and since I've personally been wanting to try it out for a while, I decided to head over there with some work friends for lunch. The building looks a little intimidating from the outside -- it's pretty much just a brick box with no windows (actually, to some, it might look like something seedy is going on in there). The inside is rather small, about 10-12 tables/booths and a bar and pool table. The decor is... well, I'm pretty sure the decor inside hasn't changed since the Carter administration. As a matter of fact, the decor is actually coming back into style. I liked it. Very retro. While some places hunt on eBay to buy old-school memorabilia to make their bar “cool,” this one just hung on to theirs. Just like my parachute pants that I'm certain I'll get to wear again some day. Anyway, they've got a really good selection of both micros and macros on tap, including Northwest’s beloved Rainier. Yes, Rainier. On tap! That’s a gold star in my book. The walls are decorated with a variety of old and new beer signs, scattered prints, typical bar memorabilia, and a big screen TV in the corner was on ESPN. After reading through a pretty robust menu (for a bar), I decided to go for the fish and chips ($10), while my friends ordered the cheeseburger and fries ($7) and rib eye steak with Texas Toast and steak fries (on special for$12.50) . While we waited, the place started filling up, and we noticed that there was just one lady running the bar, waiting tables, and bussing. She was absolutely phenomenal and kept up with all of the dining customers, and kept the thirst down at the bar. Truly amazing. In just the right amount of time, we received our lunches. They looked pretty darn good. The steak had grilled onions on top, the fish was golden, and the cheeseburger was served with a steak knife sticking in it. Now, I can’t say that the cheeseburger was big enough to warrant the useof a steak knife, but it was a nice touch. The only issue I had with my fish and chips was the fact that they were a little too greasy. Yes, I know they’re deep fried, but it seemed like the fish was lathered in oil before it was given a batter bath. They tasted good, but dang, they were oily. My friends liked their lunches as well – although one commented that his steak was thin enough that he thought they might have given him a strip steak instead of a rib eye. I have to say, I was a little surprised that I liked this place. It really wasn’t anything special, but it was comfortable, had great service, and the food was good. While we ate, we decided that this is our next beer-lunch spot – maybe on St. Pat’s Day? See you there.

Rainier, sadly, is now but a brand owned by Pabst, and I believe is contract brewed in California. Even though Henry's is also but a brand, much of it is contract brewed by Full Sail, so at least that business is kept local. If you want to support a local beer in this style, consider checking out Ninkasi Schwag or Full Sail Session (with the Oly-style stubbies!).

Unfortunately I don't remember them all, but I do recall being pleasantly surprised. Obsidian Stout was one -- I remember that because I haven't seen it on tap very often. I believe they had a Rogue, or wait, maybe it was Arrogant Bastard.

Hey, you know what? I think I just found your excuse to go to Stone Front!

The Stone Front is a very old institution. When I first moved here in 1970, it stood all by itself out in the country on highway 99 south. I've never visited, but I'm sure it was just a small local tavern in those days -- no premium beers allowed and eats limited to boiled eggs. Anyone know how long this building has been standing at the site? How long its been called the Stone Front Tavern?

The Stonefront Tavern was built in 1968. I was gone from the valley from about then until 1978. As far as I know, it has always had the same name. It was owned for many years by a great guy named John Ross until his passing in the mid to late 80's. The real estate is still held by a Ross family trust. I'm not sure about the business ownership.

The stone front has been in my family for along time. And yes it use to be that little store that was torn down. The day after my grandpa (Aka Pop) past away my daddy pop's only son took over as cook. With my aunt Jenny running it. And that's a big job! So many great memories of that place from family functions to just hanging out and having a good time in a laid back atmosphere with a lot of the best and loyal regulars!!! When I was older and the time was right I got to work next to my daddy in the kitchen pumping out that killer prime rib every weekend. I miss the good old times. I miss ya all